Tool for removing packaging material

ABSTRACT

A packaging removing tool for removing packaging material of containers having a removable cover to access the container, the packaging tool includes an elongated lever member having a first end and an opposing second end, and one or more angled portions disposed at the first end, an actuating member extending from the first end of the elongated lever member to detachably couple to the removable lid, and a handle portion extending from the second end of the elongated lever member, wherein the elongated lever member includes a pivot portion configured to removably couple to the removable cover to provide leverage when removing the packaging material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present general inventive concept relates to a tool for removing packaging material from containers, and more particularly, to a tool for easily removing plastic connecting and carrying straps used to attach two or more bottle or jug containers together.

2. Description of Related Art

Consumers purchase millions of packaged food commodities each year. In an effort to increase efficiency and increase sales volume many food wholesalers and retailers have developed unique packaging techniques to couple multiple containers together. However, removing such packaging often proves to be extremely difficult and causes intense thumb, finger and hand pain to many consumers. Many consumers do not possess the hand dexterity or strength to remove these connecting and carrying straps without an aid.

Therefore, what is desired is a simple tool that may be used to easily remove connecting and carrying packaging material from multiple containers, such as dual bottle or jug beverage containers, without causing hand pain to a user and which provides a substitute for manual dexterity and hand strength.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present general inventive concept provides a tool for removing packaging material from containers, and more particularly, to a tool for easily removing plastic connecting and carrying straps used to attach and carry two or more containers together.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects of the present general inventive concept will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a packaging removal tool according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the packaging removal tool illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the packaging removal tool illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of conventional liquid containers coupled together with packaging material;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method of using the packaging removal tool illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6A through 6F illustrate a method of using the packaging removal tool shown in FIG. 1 to remove the packaging material from the conventional liquid containers shown in FIG. 4, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 7 illustrates a front perspective view of a packaging removal tool according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the packaging removal tool illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the packaging removal tool illustrated in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the packaging removal tool illustrated in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The exemplary embodiments are described below in order to explain the present general inventive concept by referring to the figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a packaging removal tool 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the packaging removal tool 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 is a side view of the packaging removal tool 100 illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the packaging removal tool, designated generally as 100, is illustrated. In the present embodiment, the packaging removal tool 100 is designed and configured for removing packaging material mounted on conventional liquid containers, having a removable plastic strap. The packaging removal tool 100 includes an elongated lever member 110 having a first end 110 a and an opposing second end 110 b, one or more angled portions 120 disposed at the first end 110 a, an actuating member 130 extending from the one or more angled portions 120, and a handle portion 140 extending from the second end 110 b of the elongated lever member 110. In the present embodiment, the packaging removal tool 100 may be formed from square shaped wire. However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. That is, in alternative embodiments, the packaging removal tool 100 may be formed from various shaped wire or material.

FIG. 4 is a front view of conventional liquid containers 10 coupled together with packaging material 12.

In the present embodiment, the actuating member 130 may be formed in an L-shape having one or more edges 132, 134 to provide sufficient friction and/or grip when coupled against a removable container cover 14 which is used to open and close the container. The edges 132, 134 are perpendicular to each other and are configured to couple to the cover 14 of the container 10. In particular, the actuating member 130 includes a first edge 132 which couples to a first side 14 b of the cover 14 and a second edge 134 which couples to a second side 14 c of the cover 14.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method 200 of using the packaging removal tool 100 illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 5, in the present exemplary embodiment, the method 200 of using the packaging removal tool 100 begins at step 202, wherein the removal tool 100 is obtained to remove the packaging material 12 from a conventional liquid container 10.

Next, at step 204, a user inserts the actuating member 130 between the first side 14 b of the cover 14 and a first end 12 a of the packaging material 12. The user may use the handle portion 140 to maneuver the actuating member 130 in between the first side 14 b of the cover 14 and the first end 12 a of the packaging material 12. However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto.

Next, at step 206, the user places the first edge 132 against a side of the cover 14 and the second edge 134 against an upper surface 14 a of the cover 14.

Next, at step 208, the user applies a first force in a first direction D1 (i.e., upward) on the handle portion 140, while the first edge 132 contacts the side of the cover 14 and the second edge 134 contacts the upper surface 14 a of the cover.

Next, at step 210, the user places the one or more angled portions 120 of the packaging removal tool 100 against the upper surface 14 a of the cover 14.

Next, at step 212, the user applies a second force in a second direction D2 (i.e., inclined) on the handle portion 140, while the one or more angled portions 120 contacts the upper surface 14 a of the cover.

Next, at step 214, the user then places the first edge 132 against the upper surface 14 a and the second edge 134 against an opposing side of the cover 14.

Next, at step 216, the user then applies a third force in a third direction D3 (i.e., horizontal) on the handle portion 140, while the first edge 132 contacts the upper surface 14 a and the second edge 134 contacts the opposing side of the cover 14. As a result, the packaging material 12 is lifted up and away from the cover 14, allowing the user to open the container 10.

When the packaging removal tool 100 is lifted, the L-shaped actuating member 130 engages with the removable container cover 14 and creates a pivot point to mechanically assist in the removal of the packaging material 12, such as a plastic connecting and carrying strap for the liquid containers 10. However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto.

That is, in alternative embodiments, the actuating member 130 may be formed in various shapes and sizes and may be grooved in a vertical orientation so as to provide additional gripping and pivoting power when using the removal tool 100 to remove packaging materials 12, such as a plastic connecting and carrying strap.

The elongated lever member 110 includes a handle portion 140 which is configured to provide hand gripping leverage when moving the removal tool 10 between the first, second and third directions D1, D2, D3 in order to remove the packaging material 12 from the container 14.

In exemplary embodiments, the handle portion 140 may be formed in a triangular shape. However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. That is, in alternative embodiments, the handle portion 140 may be formed in various shapes and sizes, as desired.

FIGS. 6A through 6F illustrate a method of using the packaging removal tool 100 shown in FIG. 1 to remove the packaging material 12 from the conventional liquid containers 10 shown in FIG. 4, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. The conventional liquid containers 10 illustrated in FIG. 4 is only illustrative of one type of container shape. However, the packaging removal tool 100 according to the present general inventive concept may be used to remove packaging material from various other types of containers having different sizes and shapes.

In operation, the packaging removal tool 100 is configured and designed to be a hand tool. However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. That is, in alternative embodiments, the packaging removal tool 100 may be incorporated within a system which provides mechanical assistance in generating the required force to remove the packaging material 12.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the packaging removal tool 100 may be used to remove packaging material 12 from conventional containers 10 as follows.

Referring to FIG. 6A, illustrates a container 10 having packaging material 12 that is to be removed in order to access a removable container cover 14 that is used to open and close the container. In the present embodiment, a user holds the packaging removal tool 100 by the handle portion 140 and inserts the actuating member 130 under either end of the packaging material 12 and through existing an opening at each end of connecting and carrying strap 12 such that a portion of the actuating member 130 contacts the upper surface 14 a of the cover 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 6B through 6E, the user may then continue lifting the handle portion 140 in an upward direction to thereby generate leverage, forcing the packaging material 12 away from and over the upper surface 14 a of the removable container cover 14 until the L-shaped actuating member 130 end of tool engages the opposite side of the cover 14. As a result, the packaging material 12 is lifted and removed from one side of the container 10 by using minimal force and effort by the user on the handle portion 140 of the packaging removal tool 100. To remove the opposite side of the connecting and carrying strap the process shown in FIG. 6B through 6E is repeated.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front perspective view of a packaging removal tool 300 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the packaging removal tool 300 illustrated in FIG. 6, FIG. 9 is a side view of the packaging removal tool 300 illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the packaging removal tool 300 illustrated in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 the packaging removal tool 100 was formed from square wire. Packaging removal tool 200 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8 is substantially similar to the previous embodiment except being formed from round wire material.

Referring to FIG. 9A and 9B connecting and carrying plastic strap 12 has multiple end designs, shapes and lengths several of which are illustrated. The tool 100 has been designed to fit these existing shapes and designs shown as well as other configurations.

Although a few exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these exemplary embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A packaging removing tool for removing packaging material of containers having a removable cover to access the container, the packaging tool comprising: an elongated lever member having a first end and an opposing second end, and one or more angled portions disposed at the first end; an actuating member extending from the first end of the elongated lever member to detachably couple to the removable lid; and a handle portion extending from the second end of the elongated lever member, wherein the elongated lever member includes a pivot portion configured to removably couple to the removable cover to provide leverage when removing the packaging material.
 2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the one or more angled portions includes a first portion inclined at a first angle with respect to the elongated lever member, a second portion inclined at a second angle with respect to the first portion, and a third portion inclined at a third angle with respect to the second portion.
 3. The tool of claim 2, wherein the first angle ranges between 95 degrees and 180 degrees.
 4. The tool of claim 3, wherein the second angle ranges between 95 degrees and 180 degrees.
 5. The tool of claim 4, wherein the second angle ranges between 95 degrees and 180 degrees.
 6. The tool of claim 1, wherein the L-shaped actuating member includes at least one flat portion configured to grip a surface of the cover of the container.
 7. The tool of claim 1, wherein the elongated lever member includes a length between 2 inches and 10 inches.
 8. A method of using a packaging removal tool to remove packaging material used to couple two or more containers, the method comprising: obtaining a packaging removal tool, the packaging removal tool comprising: an elongated lever member having a first end and an opposing second end; one or more angled portions disposed at the first end; an actuating member extending from the first end of the elongated lever member to detachably couple to the removable lid; and a handle portion extending from the second end of the elongated lever member, wherein the elongated lever member includes a pivot portion configured to removably couple to the removable cover to provide leverage when removing the packaging material; inserting the actuating member between a first side of the cover and a first end of the packaging material; placing a first edge of the actuating member against a first side of the cover and a second edge against an upper surface of the cover; applying a first force in a first direction on the handle portion, while the first edge of the actuating member contacts the first side of the cover and the second edge of the actuating member contacts the upper surface of the cover; placing the one or more angled portions against the upper surface of the cover; applying a second force in a second direction on the handle portion, while the one or more angled portions contacts the upper surface of the cover; placing the first edge of the actuating member against the upper surface of the cover and the second edge against an opposing second side of the cover; and applying a third force in a third direction on the handle portion, while the first edge of the actuating member contacts the upper surface of the cover and the second edge contacts the opposing second side of the cover, wherein the one or more angled portions creates a pivot point on the cover to assist in removing the packaging material. 